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TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed the Cabot Lodge Thomasville Road to the Florida Green Lodging Program.
This property is the 179th in the state to be designated a member of the
program. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with
technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green”
practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
“DEP is excited to welcome the Cabot Lodge Thomasville Road to the Florida
Green Lodging Program,” said DEP Director of Sustainable Initiatives Deas Bohn.
“Their Green Lodging designation is challenging other hotels in Florida to adopt
innovative green practices and the Cabot Lodge should be very proud of their
achievement.”
To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels
must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are
not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures,
a linen reuse program, energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR®
appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by
providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing
recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated
members of the Florida Green Lodging Program must also use green cleaners and
high efficiency air filters.
“The Florida Green Lodging Program is well defined and participation in the
program has certainly provided benefits,” said Karen Lambert, General Manager of
the Cabot Lodge Thomasville Road. “Not only are we able to demonstrate the
hotel’s commitment to good corporate citizenship by taking a more active role in
the conservation and protection of Florida’s natural resources, but our efforts
have ultimately resulted in a savings of resources, time and money, thus
resulting in improved business.
Recently, Governor Crist announced the 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit
on Global Climate Change this month, building on the foundation for Florida’s
energy future that began at last year’s summit. During the 2007 summit, Governor
Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies,
including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and
conferences only at hotels with the Florida Green Lodging Program designation as
of January 1, 2008, whenever possible. This year’s summit will explore
technologies and strategies to stimulate economic development in clean
technologies as well as “green” Florida’s business community.
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes
environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and
prevent pollution. As a reward for designation, the state is recommending
designated properties in the Florida Green Lodging Program to companies and
trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention
facilities. With the addition of the Cabot Lodge Thomasville Road, the program
has 204 designated properties and more than 365 applicants. For more information
about the Florida Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary,
non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting
the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and
the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including
on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to
citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is
to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for
future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.
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